Ezekiel 23:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Babylonians came, defiled Aholibah, and left her emotionally empty and alienated.
The Context of Ezekiel 23:17
The encounter with Babylon leaves Aholibah defiled and empty.
What Does Ezekiel 23:17 Mean?
The 'bed of love' represents intimate alliance and covenant-breaking intimacy. The Babylonians fulfilled the political union, but it left her defiled, polluted, and ultimately empty—her mind was alienated from them even as they were together.
This reveals the hollow outcome of unfaithful alliances: they promise satisfaction and security but deliver defilement, pollution, and alienation. The intimacy achieved through covenant-breaking is spiritually corrosive.
Ezekiel 23:17 in the Original Language
alienated (נִתְקָעַר) — 'turned away from' or 'became estranged'; suggests disgust or repugnance that sets in after the initial attraction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 23:17
What does Ezekiel 23:17 mean?
The Babylonians came, defiled Aholibah, and left her emotionally empty and alienated.
What is the context of Ezekiel 23:17?
The encounter with Babylon leaves Aholibah defiled and empty.